Coffee Spoons

Ava has drastically moved from Dallas all the way to London, in an attempt to start over. She vows to focus more on her studies and her work but things don't always turn out as planned...
"I have measured out my life with coffee spoons." - T. S. Eliot

2. The First Day

When I would arrive in London, a taxi is to be waiting for me, to take me to my new apartment.

I've only seen the place in pictures. It isn't exactly the nicest of places, but it sure as hell was one of the cheapest and that was good enough for my livings. I can some renovations if needed.

Upon arriving, I unlock the front door and am greeted with a giant box sitting in the middle of the room. Slowly, I set my things down and walk up to it. I walk the perimeter of the box and set a hand down on the top. On it was a sticker that read my new address and a note saying, "You might want this..." in my dad's scrawled hand writing. I pulled out my keys and ripped open the packaging tape. Inside the box was a brand new Yamaha keyboard with one of those adjustable black stands for it to sit on.

My father had bought me a new piano and ordered for it to be shipped here by the time I arrived. This was pure heaven! He knew how much I would miss playing and that I was planning to replace it myself, once I had gotten settled, but here it is, ready for use! I am grateful for all that he did, this must have cost so much money. I make a mental note to call him first thing tomorrow morning once I am unpacked and the time zones are decent.

The little apartment had just some basic furniture. Once you walk in, there's a long hallway that leads into a split opening. On the left of the opening was a rinky-dink kitchen with a fridge, a stove, a sink against the wall and about two or three counters making a sort of bar that faced the right side of the room. The right side was a living room. This housed a couch facing a small t.v., and old one with the antennas still, and a coffee table in between them. There was also a big window that opened up to a balcony, with my apartment being on the 17th floor of this huge duplex. So far, there was nothing on the balcony, but it had a great view over looking the city.

Back in the hallway, there were three doors. One to a bedroom that housed a queen-sized bed, a dresser and a full length mirror. One went to a small, typical bathroom. And the last into an empty room. I supposed I would make this room a sort of study. All the walls in this apartment were a beige sort of color, giving off a melancholy vibe. There were stains spotting the carpet and the smell of must soon made me realize why it was up for rent so cheap. But the freedom of living in the city of my dreams and the freshness of a new life starting made everything so worth it.

I went back into the hallway and moved my new instrument into the empty room. Then, I moved my bags into the bedroom. I had no clue where to start unpacking or what to do with the giant box, but I didn't feel like dealing with this now. So instead, I grabbed my keys and locked the door behind me.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

The streets weren't as crowded as I expected them to be. Honestly, I had no clue where I thought I should go or even what I was doing. But there was a little market a few blocks from my new apartment and something drew me towards it. I picked a cart, (or a trolley here, isn't it?) and headed to the produce section. I was getting peanut butter when, being clumsy ol' me, I knocked over one of the stupid jars and it created a domino effect, making about 4 or 5 of them topple to the ground. Luckily, I didn't think anyone else was in the isle so I stooped down to clean up my mess. Except I was wrong. Another person stooped down and began reaching for some peanut butter jars as well. I stood up, hands full with jars and looked up at my kind stranger.

"Thank you," I breathed and gave him a soft smile. He had the most gorgeous emerald eyes.

"No problem," he laughed. Then he returned my smile, nodded and continued walking.

I grabbed a jar of peanut butter and walked in the other direction, flustered and trying to shake off how drawn to him I felt.